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Thousands of people dressed all in white, dined under the night sky on bridges around Paris on Thursday evening the world's only viral culinary event - a chic take on the flash mob.

Organisers said around 12,000 smartly-dressed diners participated in the 26th "Dinner in White", which raises money for cancer research, after learning at the last minute where they were to meet.

The event is held at a different location every year - last year, nearly 11,000 dined in the outdoor courtyard of the Louvre and at the Trocadero, while in 2012 the event took place at Place des Vosges and in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

This year they gathered at six bridges across the city, including the Passerelle Debilly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and Pont de l'Alma, for a civilised French dining experience.

The only rules were that diners should come dressed in white, bring their own tables and chairs, and disappear before midnight taking all rubbish with them.

Only wine and champagne were allowed - beers and spirits were strictly prohibited.